The Frankenstein Unit

Mary Shelley’s background(August 30, 1797-February 1, 1851)

Mother: Mary Wollstonecraft a famous British feminist author who died 11 days after giving birth to Mary

Father: William Godwin

A famous 19th century British philosopher who believed in the rights of the individual.

Shelley’s marriage

At 15 years of age, Mary met her future husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, a disciple of William Godwin and a famous British poet.

Despite being previously married to another woman, Percy Bysshe Shelley convinces Mary to elope with him in France when she was 17.

The Making of Frankenstein On 19 March 1815 Shelley

recorded in her journal, after the death of her first child:

"Dream that my little baby came to life again--that it had only been cold & that we rubbed it before the fire & it lived."

Byron’s Challenge

In the summer of 1816, Percy and Mary visit Lord Byron’s estate in Geneva, Switzerland (one setting for the novel).

The summer of 1816 had fall like weather because a massive volcano in Indonesia spewed ash around the world.

Because of the gloomy weather, Byron issued a challenge to his guests to create the best horror story.

The Publishing of Frankenstein At Byron’s estate, Mary has a

dream about a man who plans to bring life to the dead.

She turns her idea into a story and is encouraged by her husband to turn the story into a novel.

In 1818, Shelley publishes the novel at the age of 19.

The Title of the Novel

The name “Frankenstein” originates not from the Creature, but the Creator, Victor Frankenstein.

Victor, like Shelley, suffers the loss of many loved ones at an early age.

He creates his creature as a way to bring back the dead.

The Doppelganger

The story is a Doppelganger, or German word for “double image.”

Both the Creature and Victor mirror each other in their effort to destroy the other.

The Doppelganger represents a divided self, or two alter egos who are more alike than different.

Famous Doppelgangers

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Batman and the Joker Bruce Banner and The

Incredible Hulk James Bond and

Blofeld Mario and Donkey

Kong Optimus Prime and

Megatron

Frame Narrative

A frame narrative is a literary technique whereby a story or narrative is presented with the purpose of putting emphasis on the telling of a second story. Basically, it’s a story within a story.

Robert Walton, in letters to his sister, tells a story of Victor Frankenstein, who tells the story of the Creature, who tells the story of a family…

Epistolary Novel

A story told through writings like letters and diaries.

Robert Walton writes letters to his sister to tell of his adventure and how he met Victor Frankenstein…and then he tells Frankenstein’s story.

The Modern Prometheus Mary Shelley’s subtitle for

Frankenstein is “The Modern Prometheus”

In Greek Mythology, the titan Prometheus stole fire from the sun and gave it to humanity.

This angered the Greek god Zeus who did not want humans to control fire.

He was punished by being chained to a lake while an eagle would feast on his liver.

The Prometheus Myth has become a metaphor of what happens when humans get a hold of something they cannot control and reach beyond their ability.

The Creature

Unlike the Hollywood stereotype, the Creature is an intelligent being whose rage stems from his neglect from Victor.

Themes in the Novel1. The Consequences of

Irresponsibility: Are we responsible for our own actions? Are we responsible for the actions of others?

2. The Consequences of Isolation: What is the importance of human relationships in life?

3. The Danger of Knowledge: How is knowledge both an asset and a liability?

Shelley’s Time Period Romanticism A literary period of the 1800-1840. A

response to Industrial Revolution and Age of Enlightenment- where scientific understanding and rationalization of nature was highly prized.

Characteristics of RomanticismInterest in the common man & in childhood

Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans which is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar.

Strong senses, emotions, and feelings

Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through intuition rather than deduction. This is best summed up by Wordsworth (a famous British poet) who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

Awe of Nature Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and the experience of sublimity through a connection with nature. Romantics rejected the rationalization of nature by those of the Enlightenment period.

Celebration of the individual

Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast.

Importance of imagination

Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a critical authority.

Elements of Gothic Literature Mystery

Environment/Setting

Nightmares

Omens and Curses

Decline and Decay

Supernatural Elements

Damsel in Distress

Villains

Protagonists

The Hollywood Stereotype

James Whale directed the 1931 film Frankenstein where our image of the Creature comes from.

In the film, a mad scientists creates a creature with little intelligence who rages against humanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKyiXjyVsfw

The Cultural Myth

There are over 100 films about Frankenstein.

Frankenstein has been used to sell merchandise such as Twix candy bars, Levi’s Jeans, Coca-Cola, Frankenberry Cereal, M&Ms, Penzoil, and Pez.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/tv/crunch_fitness_frankenstein

Favorite Titles of Frankenstein Movies “Frankenstein’s

Musical Christmas” “Alvin and the

Chipmunks meet Frankenstein”

“Frankenstein vs. Dracula”

“Frankenstein: the College Years”

“Blackenstein”